Ryan Bowman rescues a point for Exeter City in 1-1 draw at Stevenage

Terence Vancooten of Stevenage jumps in wit the sliding tackle to deny Ryan Bowman of Exeter City during the Sky Bet League Two match between Stevenage v Exeter City on April 22nd 2019 at The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. (Photo by Gareth Davies/PPAUK)

Ryan Bowman's deflected shot earned Exeter City a point from theri trip to Stevenage and keeps them in the play-off zone with two games remaining.

Bowman struck after Stevenage had gone in front through Kurtis Guthrie and knew that a win would take them above the Grecians in the League Two table.

But Matt Taylor's men showed great character to come back and rescue a point through Bowman, which leaves them seventh and occupying the last of the play-off places in the League two table.

Exeter went into the game making three changes to the side that lost so disappointingly to Crawley on Good Friday. Troy Brown dropped out altogether and was replaced by Dean Moxey at centre back; Randell Williams started on the wing in place of Lee Holmes and Lee Martin joined Ryan Bowman in attack with Hiram Boateng dropping to the bench.

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Neither side created much in the early exchanges, although Bowamn did see a shot blocked for the Grecians. However, with their first real chance, Stevenage broke the deadlock in the 28 minute.

Ilias Chair sprayed the ball wide to Luther James-Wildin and he crossed to the back post where the ball was turned in by Kurtis Guthrie.

Chair almost added a second goal as Stevenage scented City blood before Moxey became the first booking of the day for tripping Guthrie.

The Grecians needed something from somewhere and they got it five minutes before half-time through Bowman. The Grecians took a quick free kick, Bowamn tried his luck from distance and the ball tooka massive deflection before nestling in the net.

One almost became two for City as Williams then curled a delightful effort against the bar and the ball bounced down on the line before being hacked clear and the same player almost scored against straight after the retsrat, but his shot was well saved by Paul Farman in the Stevenage goal.

It was areally bright start to the second half from the Grecians, but Emmanuel Sonupe came close for Stevenage and Guthrie started to cause them real problems, only for Pierce Sweeney to clear one attempt behind.

Craig Woodman’s deflected shot was easy for Farman as time ticked by with the draw no good for either side in the race for a play-off place.

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The Grecians thought they had won it when Bowman had the ball in the net, only for it to be chalked off for offside.

Four minutes of stoppage time failed to produce a winner and so the spoils were shared. The point means City stay in seventh place, but if Newprt win their game in hand against Oldham, their play-off hopes would not lay in their own hands.